Gay Jewish–New Yorker and libertarian‐leaning classic liberal with some center‐right conservative views who is publishing on ▴ gay and ursine topics ▴ the public domain and freely licensed creative works ▴ Near Eastern, Central Asian, North African and Caucasian topics ▴ linguistics, particularly as relevant to the above populations ▴ Humanist, naturalist or Bright topics ▴ history, understood to include my own personal experiences in and occasionally out of my beloved native city.

26 March 2010

❅ Elyaqim Mosheh Adam is surprisingly eager to play in the snow. —26 February
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Photograph by Elyaqim Mosheh Adam.Snow on and hanging from every surface.
72nd Street between 35th and 37th avenues, Jackson Heights, 27 February 2010.

Is it safe to come out now? Spring is finally here after some nasty New York snowstorms. See more of my pictures of the 26 February blizzard that hit Jackson Heights between Taʻănît Estēr (תענית אסתר‎) and Pûrîm (פורים).

In addition to the recent disgusting anti-gay electioneering of Hiram Monserrate, including his appeals to local religious communities with the knowledge religious people tend to be at least as intolerant and hateful as he is, here are two examples found on the Internet of heterosexism in Jackson Heights, one of which is admittedly related to Monserrate’s failed campaign.

• Gay Jackson Heights resident David Maddux described an altercation with a Monserrate worker at local eatery Espresso 77, 35-57 77th Street:

While sitting outside in the glorious sun, a person with a fistful of Monserrate flyers approached us and offered one. We declined, saying, “Never!” and “He’s a bigot!” I don’t understand Spanish well, but know enough to comprehend when a mouthful of gay slurs is levied at me. There was no mistaking her vehemence. And her hatred. First time that’s happened in decades. (David Maddux, “Re: Special Election to replace Monserrate,” post on Jackson Heights Life, 16 March 2010.)

• And a micro-’blogger published this bit of hatred presumably after visiting the neighborhood: “Deres a lot of transvestites in jackson heights its disgustin.” (Anthony García, MrR0ttenApple micro-’blog, 8 March 2010.)

Polyglot Chhaya.

Speaking of 77th Street, local community development corporation Chhaya, 37-43 77th Street, has a sign with their name written in five scripts:

“Who writes this stuff?”

Elyaqim Mosheh Adam (a.k.a. Mark) is a gay Jewish–New Yorker who promotes his photography, videography and writing here, and who may be reasonably expected to write on any combination of the following:

{The old description: Still trying to strike a balance between a mere cataloging of my experiences, rarely done in a timely manner, and writings about subjects that interest me (linguistics, history etc.).}